In his homily for the Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers, Pope Francis says that “The sickbed can become a holy place, where charity burns away indifference and gratitude nourishes hope.”

By Francesca Merlo for Vatican News

“[God] enters [through] our wounds. He knocks at our door, not despite our suffering, but because of it.”

In his homily for the Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers, taking place on the 5th and 6th of April, Pope Francis drew inspiration from the prophet Isaiah.

In his sermon, which was read aloud by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pope Francis invited the faithful to contemplate the situation of the Israelites in exile: “it seemed that all was lost,” the Pope said. However, he continued, it was precisely in their moment of trial that a new nation was bring born.

Pope Francis compared this experience to the woman in the day’s Gospel reading, who had been condemned and ostracized for her sins.

Her accusers, ready to cast the first stone, were halted by the quiet authority of Jesus who told her “Go your way. You are free. You are saved.”

In comparing the stories, Pope Francis says that God does not wait for our lives to be perfect before he intervenes in them.

Rather, said the Pope, “[God] enters [through] our wounds. He knocks at our door, not despite our suffering, but because of it.”

Illness & Care

Turning then to those who are ill and to all those who assist them, the Pope acknowledged the deep suffering that illnesses can bring:

“[Being sick or ill] can make us feel like the people in exile… or like the woman in the Gospel,” he said. But, he continued, it can also be a place of encounter, a “school” in which we learn to love and be loved with humility and grace.

Pope Francis then reflected on his own illness, and consequent dependence on others, describing it not as a burden but as a lesson in trust, gratitude and hope.

“Let us not push back”, he said, adding: “Let us allow ourselves to be loved”.

Pope Francis then turned to the healthcare professionals, thanking them for their work and encouraging them to receive every patient as an opportunity to renew their sense of humanity:

“The sickbed can become a holy place,” he said, “where charity burns away indifference and gratitude nourishes hope.”

Call to Compassion

“Let us not banish suffering from our surroundings,” he said. “Let us not exclude those who are frail.”

Bringing his address to a close, Pope Francis recalled the words of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, who reminded the Church that “the true measure of humanity is determined in relation to suffering.”

A society that turns its back on the weak, he warned, becomes cruel and inhuman.

Finally, Pope Francis urged all those present to resist the temptation to marginalize and forget those who are elderly, ill, or weighed down by the hardships of life.

“Let us not banish suffering from our surroundings,” he said. “Let us not exclude those who are frail.”

Instead, we must allow God’s love – poured into our hearts – to transform even suffering into a space of communion and growth.

Images

• Header Image: From Pope Francis’s 2024 “Message to the Sick,” photo by Vatican Media.
• Pope Francis greets the pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Mass by the photographers of VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto (the website of the “Photo Service of the Holy See,” which since 1931 has documented with images the meetings, travels, ceremonies of the popes, art, sacredness & beauty of the Vatican.” And where you can purchase beautiful photos of Pope Francis; and also see if you made it into the general audience photos!)
• A mural of our beloved St Francis at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe – taken by Cassidy on one of her pilgrimages there with two childhood friends aka Snap, Crackle & Pop. I still have no idea which one is which!

Further Reading & Resources

• Cassidy’s 2013 blog post: Wisdom | It Is Beautiful to Be Old! ~ Pope Benedict XVI
• Care Conversations | The Power of Kind Words in Caring for Others by Kate
• from Coral Tree’s Wisdom Series | Two Reflections from Thomas Keating: “God Is Already Here” & “Notes from a Deep Conversation”
• “Radiating Christ” ~ a beautiful prayer by Cardinal John Henry Newman
• from Coral Tree’s Wisdom Series | “I am with you always” by Pope Francis (from Pope Francis’ 2021 Message for Grandparents)